Portable collapsible crane



Feb. 20, 1940. H, D, ROGERS 2,191,181

PORTABLE COLLAPSBLE CRANE Filed Aug. l5, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 m34/W7 iI BY ATTORNEY 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 20. 1940. H, D, ROGERS PORTALEcoLLAPsIBLE CRANE Filed Aug. 15, 1938 N29 M .ich @D A 1' "if t f Q I NVEN TOR.

ATTRNEY Feb. Z0, 1940. H. D. ROGERS P ORTABLE COLLAPSIBLE CIRANE FiledAug. l5, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I 5N V EN TOR.

Mam@

A TTORNE Y.

Patented Feb. 20, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT lOFFICE 14 Claims.

This invention relates to a portable collapsible crane. A 4

The heavy duty crane is indispensable wherever construction work is inprogress, where a dam is being built, a bridge is being erected, a largediameter pipe line isbeing laid, heavy machinery is being removed orinstalled, etc. A large heavy duty crane is usually shipped on flatcarsor heavy trucks to the site vwhere it is to be used. and is l0 thereerected for the particular' workr in hand.

It must be taken down when the work is cornpleted or for transportationto another place.

The object of this invention is generally to improve the constructionand operation of heavy 'l-'l duty cranes; to provide a crane which iswheel supported and adapted to be hauled by a tractor from place toplace; to provide a crane having a triangularly-shaped base frame with atongue for connection with a tractor at one end, and supported by wheelsatthe opposite end; to provide a triangularly-shaped boom frame which ispivotally supported over the Wheels of the base frame and whichmay beraised from a horizontal trailing position with relation to the vbaseframe to a vertical position for use; to provide a frame structure bothfor the base and for the boom which lhas pivotal connections at certainpoints, permitting the frame members to be brought together insubstantial parallelism, or in other words materially contracted, forhauling over highways; and to provide a frame structure v which may becompletely taken apart for shipment on ilatcars or trucks, and in whichthe frame members may be telescoped with relation to each other toconsume as little longitudinal space as possible.`

The crane is shown by way of illustration inY the accompanying drawings,in which Fig. l1 is a side elevation of the crane 4showingl it erectedfor use;

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the base frame ofthe crane, showing theboom'frame removed; Fig. 3 is a rear view of the boom frame Vin erectedposition; f

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one ofthe wheel l supported carriages;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the crane showing the boom frame loweredfor transportation; and

Fig. 6 is a plan View of the crane showing it.

sists of a drawhead 2 to which is. pivotally -attached as at 3--3 a pairoi rearwardly extending arms 44. The drawhead is adapted to be attachedto and supported by a tractor such as shown at C, while the rear ends ofthe arms 4 are 5 attached to a pair of wheel-supported carriages D-D.These carriages are identical in construction, and are best shown inFigs. 3 and 4. Each carriage consists of a horizontal frame 5`constructed in any suitable manner. At the opposite l0 ends are securedtwo downwardly extending frames or brackets 6 6, between which issecured a. shaft or axle 'i on which are journaled three or more wheels8. At the inner end of the frame 5 and bracket 6 is a ange or plate 9,the lf function of which will hereinafter be described. At the top ofthe frame are two upwardly extending` lugs I0, and at the rear of theange 9 and the frame 5 is a fork-shaped bracket 4il which is bracedwithrelation to the frame by a a0 plate I 2; The rear ends of the base framearms 4 iit between the forks Il, and pins M extend therethrough to forma pivotal connection between the carriages and the arms 4.

The booml frame B consists of a pair of leg '86 `members I5--I5pivotally secured at their upper ends asat 6 to a sheave head I6. Thelower ends of the boom legs are pivotally supported as at l'l-Jl betweenfork-shaped members Iii-I8, which in turn are pivotally supportedbetween the lugs Ill-lil. 'Ihe pivotal connections llpermit spreading ofthe lower ends of the leg members I5, and the pivotal connections formedbetween the lugs vIIL-Ill permit vertical swinging movementrto raise orlower the boom frame, as will hereinafter be described.

The crane here illustrated is built so that it may be. pulled from placeto place by the tractor. If the Vcrane, has been erected and the workperformed has been on comparatively open or un- 40 obstructed land, thecrane may be hauled about without taking it down; on the other hand, ifit Vis to behauled over the highway to another loca? tion,it becomesessential to lower the boom frame fromfits Ivertical position to ahorizontal 46 position such as shown in Fig. 6, so as to clearsufdciently narrow to permit hauling it over high- 50 ways withoutobstructing traic. Withthe crane erected` as shown in Fig. 1,

lbecomes possibleto raise and lower loads by means of the hook shown at20,` as the hook is provided with a sheave 2|, and a similar sheave Il22 is journaled'on the sheave head l5. 'I'he usual type of cable 23 isreeved through the sheave blocks 2| and 22. and is extended to a drum 24mounted on and driven by the tractor. The boom may assume any positionbetween the vertical position shown in Fig- 1 and the horizontalposition shown in Fig. 6, the position being controlled by a cable 25operated by a drum 26 mounted onand driven by the tractor. This cablepasses over sheave blocks 21 and 23, and one end is anchored as at 23.By paying out on the cable 25, the boom is lowered or swung about thepivotal lugs I0 on the respective carriages to any position desired,while by applying power to the drum 26 and hauling on the cable it maybe raised. 'I'he boom legs I5, the wheel-supported carriages D-D, andthe arms 4-4 of the base frame normally assume their spread positionshown in Figs. 2 and 3, when the boom is erectedv for use. To preventcontraction of the arms of the base frame during operation, a cross-beam30 is bolted between the anges 3-9 of the carriages D, and extracross-braces may be bolted between the arms as shown at 3l and 32.Simi#- lar cross-braces 33 and 34 are also secured between the legs ofthe boom, and a rigid structure is thus provided, each frame beingsubstantially triangular in shape and presenting the widest support atthe point where the heaviest` load is applied.

When the boom B is swung from horizontal to upright position as shown inFig. 1, means must be provided to prevent the boom from swinging beyondvertical position, as it would otherwise swing about the pivotal lugsI0-I0 and fall back on the base .frame and tractor. and completely wreckthe entire structure. To prevent this, stop arms 35 are pivotallysecured to the boom legs l5 as shown at 35. The lower ends o! the armsslide in channel-shaped track members 31 lpivotally secured as at 33 tothe base frame arms 4. The outer ends of said track members aresupported by and secured to the crossbrace 3l. A shoulder 33 is formedat the inner end ofl each track member; hence as the boom is beingraised, and the lower ends oi' the arms 35 slide rearwardly on thetracks 31, a point will finally be reached when they engage theshoulders 39, and further movement of the boom is stopped, thuspreventing movement of the boom beyond a vertical position. There is a-double swivel connection between the upper ends of the arms 35 4and theboom legs i5, so as -to permit them to be moved into parallelism withthe legs I5. i

Ii the boom is to be lowered and transported to another site, andparticularly if it is to be lhauled overta highway by means ot thetractor;

a frame such as shown at 42 will rst be placed on the cross-bar 33 andthere secured. This frame carries a wide roller `43 at its upper end,whichwlll receive the cables 23 and 25 as the boom frame is beinglowered. The boom frame, as previously stated, is lowered by merelypaying out on the cable 25, and as it lowers; the cables will nally reston the roller 43 in a manner similar to the cable support shown in Fig.5.

vThe supportthere shown is another support which will hereinafter bedescribed.

After the boom has beenlowered to horizontal positio`n\a dolly orsimilar support will be placed under the sheave head, and the cableswhich l., lower the.; boom will be'slackened to 'remove the strain. 'Theseveral cross-beams, 3|, 32 33 .75.

and 34 are then unbolted-'and removed. A pair oi' chains such as shownat 44 are then connected between the outer ends of the carriages and theadjacent ends of the arms 4. There 'is a turn-buckle 45 intermediate theends of each chain, and these turn-buckles are tightened so as to swingthe carriages about the pivots I4 just a sufilcient amount to cause thewheels 3 to toe inwardly, then by hauling the entire structure in aforward direction by means of the tractor, each carriage will tend tomove inwardly and swing the arms 4-4 about their pivots 3 3, and theboom legs I5-I5 about their pivots 8, until they assume a substantiallyparallel position such as shown in Fig. 5. At this point theturn-buckles are released and the chains are changed from the ilrstposition to the second position indicated at 5i); that is, they to theiroriginal position where they remain during the towing or haulingoperation. This connection is essential, particularly when tow,- ing, asit reduces swinging movement of the carriages about the pivots I4. Whenthe frame arms and boom legs have been brought together as shown in Fig.6, a pair of stanchions 52 permanently secured at the rear ends of thearms 4-4 are connected by a cross-shaft and a roller such as shown at53. The cables are passed over this rollerv and a strain is put on thecable 25 suillcient to hold the boom in a horizontal'posivtion withoutany support under the sheave head. In this position the entire cranemay' be hauled over a highway, as its normal width has been reduced to aminimum and is such that ample clearance is given for traillc.

When the crane reaches its new destination, the turn-buckles onA thechains 44 are again tightened to toe in the wheels. The tractor is nowbacked up and as the wheels assume aA tween the boom legs. The frame 43vis again placed on -the crossfbrace 33, and 'the cables placed over theroller 43. The strain is then put on the cable 25 by applying power tothe drum 25, and the boom is raised to any position desired. The frame42 may remain in position at all times except when the base iscontracted to assume the position shown in Fig. 6. During hauling of thecrane, the brace -members 30 to 34 may be placed on a heavy truck, andso may'the irame 42-, as these are the only parts which are detached.

If the crane as a whole is to be shipped a considerable distance, forinstance on heavy trucks or on atcars, it is possi-ble to disconnect itcompletely. By removing the pivot pins 3, the drawhead 2 may be removed.All the cross-braces 33 to 34 may beremoved as previously described; thecarriages may be separated from the 'arms l by removing the pivot pinsIl; and the arms I may themselves be separated by unbolting them at thepoints indicated at 60. The arms may be box girders, and as such arehollow, and as the forward 4ends of the arms 4 are smaller than theirrear portions, it is possible to slip the smallest sections within thelarger sections so as to reduce longitudinal space. may be similarlytaken apart. IPlainly speaking, the entire crane is constructed of partswhich may be quickly taken apart' or assembled, and which may be storedor piled in comparatively little space during transportation.

Having thus `described and illustrated my invention, what I claim anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A portable collapsible crane comprisinga pair ofwheel-supportedcarriages, a base frame supported at its rear end by saidcarriages, means for attaching and supporting the front end 'of thebaserframe to a tractor, a boom -Irame supported by the carriages, 'andpivotal connections i'or attaching and supporting the front end of thebase frame to atractor, aiboom `frame supported by the carriages,pivotal connections between the base frame and the respective car-`riages, pivotal connections between the boom frame and the respectivecarriages, and means for imparting lateral movement to the carriages inopposite directions lto simultaneously widen or narrow 'the spacebetween the ends of the base frame and the boom frame which arepivotally attached to the carriages.

3. A portable collapsible crane comprising a pair of wheel-supportedcarriages, a base frame supported at its rear end by said carriages,means for attaching and supporting the front end of the.base frame to atractor, a boom frame supported by the carriages, pivotal connectionsbetween the base frame and the respective carriages, pivotal connectionsbetween the boom frame and the respective carriages, means for impartinglateral movement to the carriages to simultaneously widen or narrow thespace between the ends of the base frame and the boom frame which arepivotally attached to the carriages, and a second pivotal connectionbetween the boom frame and the respectivecarriages to permit verticalswinging movement of the boom frame .with relation to the base frame.

4. A portable collapsible crane comprising a pair of wheel-supportedcarriages, a base frame supported at its rear end by said carriages,means for attaching and supporting the front end of the base frame to atractor; a boom frame supportedbythe carriages, pivotal connectionsbetween the base frame and the respective carriages, Apivotalconnections between the. boom frame and the respective carriages, meansforl 4imparting lateral movement to the carriages to widen or narrow thespace between the endsot the frames which are pivotally attached to thecarriages,a second pivotal connection between the boom frame and therespective carriages, and means for swinging the boom.y frame about saidsecond pivotail connection from a horizontal trailing position withrelation to the basel trame- The boom itself 'l imparting lateralmovement to the carriages to widen or narrow the space between the endsof the frames which are pivotally attached to the carriages, a secondpivotal connection between the boom frame and the respective carriages,

means for swinging the boom frame about said second pivotal connectionfrom a horizontal trailing position with relation to the base frame to avertical'position, or to any intermediate point, and means for stoppingswinging movement of lthe boom frame beyond a verticall position.between the carriages and the respective frames 6. A portablecollapsible crane comprising a pair of wheel-supported carriages, aboomframe comprising a pair of boom legs supported and connected at theirlower ends one to each carriage, said connections permitting bothhorizontal and vertical pivotal movement of the legs with relation tothe carriages, a sheave head pivotally .head adapted to be connected toand supported by a tractor, said carriages being laterally movable tospread the lower ends of the boom legs and the rear ends of the baseframe arms, and means -for securing the carriage against lateralmovement when a predetermined spread is reached.

7. A portable collapsible frame comprising a pair of wheel-supportedcarriages, a boom frame comprising a pair of boom legs supported andconnected at their lower ends one to each carriage, said connectionspermitting both hurlzontal-and vertical pivotal movement of the legswtih relation to the carriages, a sheave head pivotally connecting theupper ends of the boom legs, a base trame comprising a pair of armssupported and pivotally connected at their `rear ends one to eachcarriage, a drawhead pivotally connecting the forward ends of saidarms,` said drawhead adapted to be connected to and supported by atractor, said carriages being laterally movable to-spreadthe lower endsof the boom legs and-the rear ends of the base frame arms, means forsecuring the carriages against lateral movement when a predeterminedspread 'is reached, andmeans for supporting and swinging the boom legsand sheave head from a horizontal trailing position with relation to thebase frame to a vertical position, or to any intermediate position.

vconnected at their lower ends one to each carriage, said connectionspermitting both horizontal "and vertical pivotal movement of the legswith relation to the carriages, a sheave head pivotally connecting theupper ends of the boom legs. a

basefi'rame 'comprising a pair. of arms supported andpivotally connectedat their rear ends vone to each carriage,a drawhead pivotally connecting'Kfthe forward ends of said arms, said drawhead adapted to be connectedto and supported by a tractor, said carriages, together with the boomlegs and base frame arms, adapted to assume a position parallel and insubstantial contact with each other,l means for imparting lateralmovement to the carriages to spread the lower ends of.

the boom legs Aand, the rear ends of the base frame A arms, and meansifor securingi v`the carriages against lateral movement when apredetermined spread is reached.

9. A portable collapsible crane comprising a pair of wheel-supportedcarriages, a boom trame vcomprising a pair of boom legs supported andconnected at their lower ends one to each carriage, said connectionspermitting both horizontal and ,vertical pivotal movement of the legswith relation to the carriages, a sheave head pivotally connecting theupper ends of the boom legs, a base frame comprising a pair of armssupported and pivotally connected at their rear ends one to eachcarriage, a drawhead pivotally connecting-the forward ends of said arms,said drawhead adapted to be connected to and supported by a tractor,said carriages, together with the boom legs and base frame arms, adaptedto assume a position parallel and in substantial contact with eachother, the wheels on said carriages being also parallel to the boom legsand the base frame arms, means for swinging the carriages with relationto the base frame arms, so that the wheels will assume a slight anglewithrelation thereto, said angular position oi' the wheels causinglateral movement oi' the carriages and spreading of the base frame armsand boom legs when the crane as a whole is moved by the tractor, means.for straightening out the carriages, and other means for securing themagainst lateral movement when a predetermined spacing has been obtainedbetween the carriages.

10. In a crane of the character described a base frame comprising a pairoi arms pivotally connected at their front ends and adapted to beconnected with and supported by the drawbar of a tractor, awheel-supported carriage at the rear end of each arm and supporting eacharm, said carriages Apermitting the rearl ends of the arms of the baseframe to be spread apart to form a base frame narrow at the i'ront andwide at the rear, a pair of boomlegs pivotally supported at their lowerends to 1,the respective carriages, a pivotal connection between theupper ends oi the boom legs, said legs adapted to be spread in unisonwith the frame arms to present a two-legged boom with their lower` endsspread apart, and means for raising or lowering the boom legs from ahorizontal trailing position to a position at right angles to the -baseframe arms. or to anyrintermediate position.

11.l In a crane ofthe character described a base frame comprising apair' of arms pivotally connected at their iront ends and adapted to heconnected to and supported by the drawbar of a.

tractor, a wheel supported carriage at the rear end of each arm andsupporting each arm, a` pivotal connection between each carriage and thelarm supported thereby, means for swinging each supported at their lowerends to the respective carriages, and a pivotal connection between theupper ends of the boom legs, said legs adapted to be swung toward eachother or to be spread, in unison with the frame arms, to present atwoleggedboom with the lower ends of the'legs 'spread apart.

12. In a crane oi'\the character described a base frame comprisinga,pair ot arms pivotally .connected at their front \ends `and adapted tobe connected to and supported,- by the drawbar of a tractor, a wheelsupported carriage at the rear end of each arm and supporting each arm,a pivotal connection between each carriage and the arm supportedthereby, means for swinging each carriage about its pivot to cause`thewheels of Veach carriage to swing from a :positionrparallel to the armsto a position angular thereto, whereby when the arms and carriages arepulled by the tractor the can'iages will travel in a line angular to thedirection of movement of the tractor and either swing the rear .endsoithe arms together or spread them apart, a pair of boom legs pivotallysupported at their lower ends to the respective carriages, a pivotalconnection between lframe comprising a pair of arms pivotally connectedat their front endseand adapted to be connected to and` supported by thedrawbar of 'a tractor, a'wheel supported carriage at the rear end of.each arm/and supporting each arm, a

pivotal connection between each carriage and the l arm supportedthereby, means for swinging each carriage about its pivot to cause thewheels of each carriage to swing from a position parallel to the arms toa position angular thereto, whereby when the arms and carriages arepulled by the tractor the carriages will travel in a line angular to thedirection of movement of the tractor and either swing the rear ends of.the arms together or spread them supported at carriages, a pivotalconnection between the upper ends of the boom legs, said legs adapted tobe swung toward each other or to be spread, vin unison with the tramearms, to present a twolegged boom with the lower ends of the legs spreadapart, a second pivotal connection between the lower end o! each boomleg and each y carriage, and means for swinging the boom legs about saidlast named pivots from a horizontal positionzto a substantially verticalposition.

' 14. In a crane of the character described a/base frame comprising apair of arms pivotally connected at teir front ends and adapted to beapart, a pair of boom legs pivotally their lower ends to the respectiveconnected to andv supported by the drawbar of a tractor, a wheelsupported carriage at the rear end of each arm and supporting each arm,a pivotal connection `between each carriage and the arm supportedthereby, means for swinging each carriage about its pivot to cause thewheels of each carriage to swing from a position parallel to the arms toa position angular thereto, whereby when the arms and `carriages arepulled by the tractor the' carriages will travel in a line angular tothe direction of movement of. the tractor andeither swing the rear endsof the arms together or -spread them apart, a pair oi boom legspivotally supported at their lower ends to the respective carriages, apivotal connection between the upper ends of the boom legs, said legsadapted to be swung toward each other or to be spread, in unison withthe frame arms, to piesent a two-legged boom with the lower ends of thelegs spread apart, a second pivotal connes tion between the lower end ofreach boom lem and each carriage, means for swinging the boom legs aboutsaid. last named pivots from a horizon tal position to a substantiallyvertical position, and. means for securing the boom legs and the arms ofthe base frame in a predetermined spreaoi 5 position,

' mi? D. ROGERS.

